Smith, John: A catalogue raisonné of the works of the most eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French painters: in which is included a short biographical notice of the artists, with a copious description of their principal pictures : a statement of the prices at which such pictures have been sold at public sales on the continent and in England; a reference the the galleries and private collections in which a large portion are at present; and the names of the artists by whom they have been engraved; to which is added, a brief notice of the scholars & imitators of the great masters of the above schools (Part 8) (London: Smith and Son, 1837)

58

NICHOLAS POUSSIN.

New Testament Subjects.
described in Matthew xxvii. 52,—“ And the graves were
opened, and many bodies of Saints which slept arose.” The
period depicted is, therefore, the moment after the Saviour
had “ yielded up the ghost,” and the soldier had pierced his
side. This affecting scene occupies the centre of the picture.
The soldier is seen, with his back to the spectator, mounted
on a spirited horse, having a spear in his hand and a shield on
his arm. A little retired from this person is a centurion of the
guard, also on horseback, in the act of giving orders to one of
the executioners, who is on a ladder placed against the cross
of the impenitent thief, with an iron bar in his hand. Two
other executioners are at the foot of the cross assisting; on the
same side, and close to the front are four soldiers, two of
whom appear to be disputing over the dice; one of them,
. while kneeling, has seized his companion, who is seated, by
the arm. This excellent group is a fine illustration of the
35th verse of the same chapter: “They parted my garments
among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.” On
the fore-ground of the opposite side is introduced, the episode
of the “ grave giving up her dead.” The resuscitated man
looks devoutly towards the crucified Jesus. A little beyond
the former, is the Virgin, standing between Mary Magdalen
and St. John, looking mournfully up at her deceased son;
behind her is another female, and a third is seated on the
ground, dissolved in grief. A little retired from this group,
and near the cross of the penitent thief, are several men in the
act of raising a ladder, and also a centurion on horseback,
who, with one hand extended, is looking piously at the
Saviour, and apparently ejaculating, “ Truly, this was the
Son of God.” This picture was painted in 1646, for the
President de Thou, from whom it passed to the possession of
M. Stella. Engraved by Audran.
4st. 10 in. by 7ft-—C.
Collection of Sir Lawrence Dundas, Bart. . 1794. . . 504/.